Post Doctoral Fellow

The University of New Mexico • Albuquerque, NM

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New Mexico is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in reservoir computing, echo state networks, and safe learning for autonomous systems. The Optimization and Estimation Laboratory invites applications for research focused on adaptive recurrent learning systems for dynamical prediction, estimation, and control. The broader goal is to develop reservoir-based models that adapt online while preserving useful stability, robustness, and safety properties. The work is motivated by autonomous systems operating under uncertainty, drift, faults, and changing environments.

Research topics may include reservoir computing and echo state networks for dynamical-system prediction; adaptive and structured recurrent models with stability guarantees; echo-state, contraction, and incremental-stability analysis; certified learning for estimation, control, and safe autonomy; and applications to robotic and cyber-physical systems.

The successful candidate will publish research, lead related group projects, collaborate with graduate students, and write funding proposals. The position will remain open until filled. For best consideration, applications should be submitted by October 9, 2026.

Requirements

• Background in one or more of the following areas: reservoir computing, recurrent neural networks, machine learning for dynamical systems, nonlinear systems, adaptive control, robust estimation, robotics, or safe autonomy.
• Experience with Python, PyTorch or JAX, numerical simulation, and academic writing.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with hardware experiments, ROS, UAVs, UGVs, or motion-capture systems.

Responsibilities

• Publish research results in leading journals and conferences in control, machine learning, and robotics.
• Lead group projects related to reservoir computing and autonomous systems.
• Collaborate with graduate students working on related research projects.
• Write proposals for funding opportunities.
• Perform other duties as requested.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed